IPL 2019: MI did not buy Yuvraj because of emotional reason, says Akash Ambani

Ace Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh almost missed the bus in the auction for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 as no franchise showed interest in buying him in the initial round. However, the 37-year-old found destiny favouring him in the accelerated round with former champions Mumbai Indians (MI) picking him at his base price of Rs 1 crore. The call left people divided for some felt the man is now a spent force to deliver in the tournament while others felt he still has the firepower in him.

With Mumbai picking him, Yuvraj is set to appear in his sixth IPL franchise since 2008 (he missed the 2012 edition because of ailment) – a record which he shares with Ishant Sharma and Parthiv Patel and is just one short of Aaron Finch’s record of playing for seven IPL teams. The batsman has scored over 2,600 runs in 128 games so far in the tournament and has also picked 28 scalps.

But did MI buy Yuvraj more keeping in mind his past reputation or does he really fit into their scheme of things to win the title for the record fourth time? According to the franchise’s owner Akash Ambani, Mumbai did not pick Yuvraj out of an emotional reason and revealed that they were eyeing the dashing batsman to be a part of their squad for several years now.

Veteran Sri Lankan bowler Lasith Malinga was the other big name that MI bought this auction at his base price of Rs 2 crore.

Looking to use Yuvraj’s experience

“I think that they are two fantastic players. Yuvi, The story goes back to not this auction but we have been trying for him for ages. We’ve just not had the opportunity to have him and we are really happy to him back. I think he has done fantastically well in his career whether it was for India and now, for IPL. He has won an IPL before so we are looking for that experience to be added to our squad,” Ambani was quoted as saying by Timesnownews.com.

Mumbai who have won the title under captain Rohit Sharma every alternate year since 2013, bought six players in this auction including Yuvraj and Malinga. The other four players are Pankaj Jaiswal, Rashikh Salam, Barinder Sran and Anmolpreet Singh.

[interaction id=”5c1a0be25e0e5f9eae0027e4″]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from Indian Premier League, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.